Plants small to moderate-sized, with distinct capitulum; green, brown or variegated brown and red; Stems green to red-brown, superficial cortex of 2--4 layers of efibrillose, non-ornamented, enlarged, short-rectangular cells. Stem leaves smaller than branch leaves, triangular-lingulate, with rounded apex, border entire; hyaline cells efibrillose, non-ornamented, rhomboidal, septate; resorbed on convex surface; concave surface intact except near apex. Branches dimorphic, spreading branches stiff; pendent branches slender and delicate. Branch fascicles with 3 or more (--8) spreading and 3 or more (--8) pendent branches. Branch stems with distinct solitary retort cells, necks not or slightly rostrate. Branch leaves ovate-lanceolate, apex involute, border entire; hyaline cells fibrillose and non-ornamented, convex surface with 4--6 small ringed ovate pores (approximately 1/4 the diameter of the cell), concave surface with 0--4 unringed pores per cell; chlorophyllous cells elliptic to truncate-elliptic in transverse section, qually exposed on both surfaces. Sexual condition monoicous or dioicous. Capsules with few pseudostomata. Spores 15--24 µm; finely papillose on both surfaces; proximal laesura less than 0.5 the length of the spore.

Lower Taxon

• Sphagnum wulfianum Girgensohn